Meet the stormtrooper SPIDERS

Scientists have discovered a new spider genus that were so alike in both size and markings, that they were named after the Stormtroopers in Star Wars.

The new genus, called Stormtropis, belong to a family of bald-legged spiders, which are native to South America and Central America.

But, the six new spiders are among the very first bald-legged spiders recorded in Colombia.

The family are described as small to medium-sized species that look very similar to each other and their remarkable ability for camouflage.

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A newly discovered type of spider has been named after the Stormtroopers in Star Wars - because the different species all look like each other. The new species are among the very first bald-legged spiders recorded in Colombia

The previously unknown species have been described by Dr. Carlos Perafan and Dr. Fernando Perez-Miles of the Universidad de la Republica.

Four of the new spiders were unable to fit into any already existing genus, so the scientists had to create the new name, which in reference to the Galactic Empire's soldiers in the popular Sci-fi franchise.

Like the Stormtroopers, the spiders "are very similar to each other, with some capacity for camouflage".

According to the study, the newfound spiders are also alike in being somewhat clumsy.

One of the most striking qualities of the spiders is their ability to adhere soil particles to their cuticle, which allows them to be camouflaged by the environment.

The spiders were seen to stick soil particles to their scaly backs as a means of camouflage against predators.

Study co-author Dr Carlos Perafan, of Universidad de la Republica in Uruguay, said: 'These soldiers are very similar to each other, with some capacity for camouflage, but with unskillful movements, like this new group of spiders.'

Four of the new spiders were unable to fit into any already existing genus, so the scientists had to create the new name, which in reference to the Galactic Empire's soldiers in the popular Sci-fi franchise

The research team said bald-legged spiders are a family of only 11 very similarly looking, small- to medium-sized species, whose placement in the 'Tree of Life' has long been a matter of debate